Russia increases steel production by 3.3% to 5.7 mln metric tons in July — WSA

Global Steel Output Edges Lower in July

Global crude steel production across 70 reporting countries stood at 149.2 million metric tons in July, down 0.3% from a year earlier, according to data from the World Steel Association (WSA). The association, whose member companies account for about 85% of global steel production, noted mixed regional performances.

Russia's steel production increased by 3.3% in July compared with the same month in 2025, reaching 5.7 million metric tons, as reported by TASS, citing the WSA. Russia and other CIS countries, as well as Ukraine, produced 6.7 million metric tons in July, up 2.2% from a year earlier.

India Rises as China Slips

India's crude steel output rose 1.9% year-on-year to 14.4 million metric tons, helping it retain its position as the world's second-largest producer, according to the WSA data as reported by The Hindu Business Line. India's output during January-July climbed 6.1% to 101.1 million metric tons, in contrast to China's 3.1% decline over the same period.

China, the world's largest producer, saw output fall 3.6% year-on-year to 76.9 million metric tons in July, with January–July production down 3.1% at 577 million metric tons. The decline weighed on the overall global figure, as Asia and Oceania — which includes China and India — produced 109.4 million metric tons, down 1.2%.

Regional and Producer Variations

Among other major producers, the US increased output by 4.4% to 7.4 million metric tons, while Japan produced 6.9 million metric tons, up 0.4%. South Korea's output rose 6.4% to 5.7 million metric tons. Turkiye and Vietnam recorded stronger growth of 7% and 34.7%, respectively, as noted by The Hindu Business Line.

By region, Africa's output rose 6.1% to 2 million metric tons. The European Union produced 10.5 million metric tons, up 3.8%. North American output rose 4.9% to 9.6 million metric tons, while South America's production increased 2.8% to 3.6 million metric tons. West Asia was the notable laggard, with output falling 13.4% to 3.8 million metric tons, according to the same source.

For the January–July period, global crude steel production was down 0.6% at 1,081.2 million metric tons. Asia and Oceania remained the largest producing region, accounting for 799.6 million metric tons, though down 0.9% year-on-year, as reported by The Hindu Business Line.

Outlook

The World Steel Association had forecast global steel demand to grow only 0.3% in 2026 to 1,724 million metric tons, before accelerating to 2.2% growth in 2027, according to The Hindu Business Line. The association's report covers countries that account for about 98% of global crude steel production, as noted in the same article. TASS, meanwhile, highlighted that WSA member companies account for around 85% of global steel production.